It’s been a long winter, but the snow’s finally beginning to melt. You might be thinking of taking a week or two off from work, and heading someplace warm for a well-deserved break. You may already have a kennel or pet sitter in mind, but wouldn’t your dog love a vacation too? No matter where you’re going, you should be able to bring your animal friend along â€” all it takes is a little advance planning.

For the car trip, your dog will be safest in a crate in the back seat. Make sure to stop every few hours for bathroom breaks, and bring a plastic water bottle to fill up your pet’s water dish during stops. If you’re going on a long trip, you may want to wait to feed him until you arrive; he’ll be more comfortable without food in his stomach, especially if prone to car-sickness, like my Gatsby.

Unless you’re staying with family, you’ll want to look into the best dog-friendly lodging options in your vacation area. Numerous sites, like www.dogfriendly.com, www.petswelcome.com, and www.bringfido.com, provide extensive searchable databases for pet-friendly hotels and B&Bs throughout the US and beyond. Bed & breakfasts are often the cheapest option, and the owners are happy to have your dog â€” they may even have special treats and toys available. In a pinch, many large hotel chains, including Holiday Inn, allow dogs, though they generally charge a pet deposit of $20 or more.

Either way, it’s rare that you’ll be able to leave your dog in the room when you go out, but many beaches and campgrounds allow dogs, so he may be able to come along on your adventures if you’ve got plans to stay outside all day. If not, find a local doggie day care â€” the hotel receptionist or B&B owner should be able to provide you with details.

The three sites mentioned above also list dining options where pets are welcome, but as long as you can find a restaurant with outdoor seating that’s accessible without going through the building, you shouldn’t have a problem â€” when in doubt, just ask, and check out DogFriendly’s etiquette tips for more advice on dining out with your dog.

Your dog is a part of your family â€” why should he miss out on your exciting vacation? Imagine how much he’d love the chance to swim in the ocean for the first time, or go hiking through the woods with his people. Bringing your dog on vacation is easy, and far more affordable than paying for several weeks at an expensive kennel. So when you pack your bags, don’t forget to bring a few bones along!

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